Abstract: A microorganism for selective production of a specific compound of avermectin having one or more of the following properties:specific accumulation of avermectin compound "a",effective incorporation of isoleucine or its keto acid (3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid) into avermectin molecule, andmarkedly suppressed incorporation of valine or its keto acid (2-oxoisovaleric acid) into avermectin molecule.

Abstract: A process for improving mass transfer in a bioreactor having at least one semi-permeable membrane defining first and second chambers on opposite sides of the membrane provides for circulating a first media including nutrients and the like through the first chamber and for circulating a second media for cell culture through the second chamber of the bioreactor. The first and second media may be circulated through a plurality of bioreactors connected in parallel while balancing the flow in each reactor. The flow in the second circuit can be periodically reversed to provide increased cell culture.

Abstract: A composition having antiviral and antibacterial effects is disclosed which comprises the dimeric forms of enzymes selected from the group consisting of lysozyme and ribonuclease and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. These dimeric forms are more effective in treating a variety of human and animal diseases because they are much less cytotoxic than the monomeric forms of the enzyme. A method for the use of these compositions is also disclosed which comprises applying an effective amount of the composition to the infected area.

Abstract: This invention is directed to continuous, non-maligant, neuronal cell lines, the cells of which: a) in the undifferentiated form are essentially free of branched process; b) stain positively for neurofilament protein and neurotransmitters; c) do not stain positively for glial fibrillary acidic protein; and d) in the presence of nerve growth factor differentiate into cells with long branched processes. Derivative cell lines of such cell lines are also contemplated. The cell lines are useful in screening methods for evaluation of chemical and biological compounds as well as for therapeutic uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolating medium for the identification of the Salmonella bacterium, wherein a polyol metabolizable by Salmonella and a pH indicator reacting to acidification are added to a culture support containing peptones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of continually propagating Ehrlichia canis in a microphage-monocyte cell line referred to as DH82.

Abstract: A nutrient composition for administration to patients in, for example, feeding by tube, or for use as a health drink is described. The nutrient composition comprises a fermented cereal-based product, enzyme and, optionally, further nutrient components, in combination with lactobacilli. Also described is a method of preparing a nutrient composition for administration to patients, inter alia in feeding by tube, or for use as a health drink, in which method a cereal flour is mixed with water, a-amylase and, optionally, a protease, the mixture is brought to the boil under agitation, allowed to cool and mixed with B-glucanase which is allowed to act until the viscosity of the mixture has decreased to below 0.020 Pas, whereupon the mixture is fermented.

Abstract: A newly discovered microorganism was isolated in a biologically pure culture and designated Clostridium ljungdahlii, having the identifying characteristics of ATCC No. 49587. Cultured in an aqueous nutrient medium under anaerobic conditions, this microorganism is capable of producing ethanol and acetate from CO and H.sub.2 O and/or CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 in synthesis gas. Under optimal growth conditions, the microorganism produces acetate in preference to ethanol. Conversely, under non-growth conditions, ethanol production is favored over acetate.

Abstract: A process and kit for detecting microbial metabolism is disclosed, the process including the steps of combining medium, a metabolic dye having an absorbance spectrum which in the presence of microorganisms changes and responds to metabolism of the microorganism and a second analytical dye having an excitation or emission spectrum which overlaps with one of the changed or unchanged absorbance spectra of the first dye. The medium contains a sample solution to be analyzed for containing metabolizing microorganisms. The user observes either no change in the fluorescence emissions of the second analytical dye indicating the absence of metabolizing microorganisms in the sample or a change indicating the presence of metabolizing microorganisms in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional cell culture system which can be used to culture a variety of different cells and tissues in vitro for prolonged periods of time. In accordance with the invention, cells derived from a desired tissue are inoculated and grown on a pre-established stromal support matrix. The stromal support matrix comprises stromal cells, such as fibroblasts actively growing on a three-dimensional matrix. Stromal cells may also include other cells found in loose connective tissue such as endothelial cells, macrophages/monocytes, adipocytes, pericytes, reticular cells found in bone marrow stroma, etc. The stromal matrix provides the support, growth factors, and regulatory factors necessary to sustain long-term active proliferation of cells in culture. When grown in this three-dimensional system, the proliferating cells mature and segregate properly to form components of adult tissues analogous to counterparts found in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biologically active basement membrane composition. When polymerized under physiogical conditions, the composition forms gel-like structures whose ultrastructure resembles interconnected thin sheets of the lamina densa zone of basement membrane. The major components of the composition include laminin, type IV collagen, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, entactin and nidogen. These components polymerize in constant proportions when redissolved and allowed to reconstitute. Molecular sieve studies on the soluble extract demonstrate that laminin, entactin and nidogen are associated in a large but dissociable complex. The reconstituted matrix is biologically active and stimulates the growth and differentiation of a variety of cells, including epithelial cells, nerve cells, hair follicles and the like. The reconstituted matrix can also be used for determining metastatic potential of tumor cells and for isolating metastatic tumor cells.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing specially prepared bacteria of the genus Clostridium for producing solvents, enzymes, antibiotics, toxic proteins, or spores. Cell elongation to a critical length of at least about 3x is induced in an economical, abundantly available growth medium by serial subculturing under controlled conditions to effect synchronization of growth in the number of the cells and their effective mass and to produce a substantially homogeneous cell population. At least about 0.01M of a divalent cation such as calcium is added to the synchronized cells of critical length to stabilize the cells against death, lysis or aggregation. Where bacterial production of solvents is desired, cell division is inhibited by temperature shift or by chemical means when the cells reach a synchronized solventogenic state. Solvents produced by the specially prepared bacteria may be economically and readily recovered by conventional distillation procedures or the like.

Abstract: A diagnostic test for environmental bacillus which comprises the steps of inoculating an agar growth medium comprising a nitrate source, luminol and 3-amino-L-tyrosine (3AT) with the sample, incubating the inoculated medium and determining the presence of the bacillus. The novel medium preferably comprises potassium nitrate, luminol, 3-amino-L-tyrosine and trypticase soy agar. Antibiotics and/or a specific bacteriophage may be added to the medium surface in localized areas to show specific bacterial lysis for identification. The novel medium and the methods of this invention are suitable for the identification of B. anthracis.

Abstract: A serum-free medium for cultivating a human monoclonal antibody-producing human/human hybridoma, said medium comprising a serum-free complete medium and at least 10.sup.-12 M but not more than 10.sup.-6 M of retinoic acid or its salt.

Abstract: A method of speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprises placing a paraffin coated slide in a receptacle containing a sterile aqueous solution inoculated with the specimen, analyzing the slide after exposure to the specimen to determine the presence or absence of atypical Mycobacteria, and after the analysis step, if atypical Mycobacteria are determined to be present, performing at least one speciation assay to ascertain if the atypical Mycobacteria are MAI. A related apparatus is also disclosed for speciating and identifying MAI in a specimen comprising a paraffin-wax coated slide, a tube having a sterile aqueous solution contained therein, the tube adapted to hold the slide, and at least one speciation assay means for performing an assay to determine the presence or absence of MAI in the specimen after the specimen is introduced into the tube holding the solution and the slide.

Abstract: A method for culturing cells by supplying oxygen to a culture medium through a multilayer composite membrane consisting of a porous layer(s) and a nonporous layer(s) having a thickness of less than 10 micrometers laminated one after the other. By using this multilayer composite membrane for supplying oxygen to the culture medium, oxygen can be supplied to the culture medium and/or the culture broth without causing foaming in the culture medium, cell growth inhibition or reduction in productivity of cellular products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a preenrichment broth medium that allows for the simultaneous sampling for Salmonella and Listeria spp. The medium allows for the recovery of sublethally injured bacteria that would otherwise be overlooked by conventional techniques. The medium has utility in the food industry where the isolation and identification of these human enteropathogens is sought.

Abstract: A process of producing highly pure, Q Beta replicase having a high level of activity is described. The present process allows isolation of Q Beta replicase from recombinant bacteria containing a clone of a phage DNA encoding the 65,000 weight subunit of Q Beta replicase. The present process provides an efficient method for producing pure Q Beta replicase which can readily be scaled up to commercial production levels.

Abstract: Human tissue plasminogen activator is produced by culturing a human rhabdomyosarcoma-derived cell, KYM-SF, in a medium, followed by purification of single-chain and/or double-chain human tissue plasminogen activator from the medium.

Abstract: A novel strain of Trichostrongylus colubriformis has the unique characteristics of being significantly resistant to the effect of antihelmintic drugs, in particular the antihelmintic drugs ivermectin and thiabendazole. The novel strain of T. colubriformis was prepared by the serial passage of the helminth through sheep. Twenty passages of the helminth through sheep were adequate to impart resistance to oral therapy of 20 times that normally expected with ivermectin. The highly resistant parasite is useful to screen for antihelmintic agents with different modes of action than that of ivermectin or thiabendazole which represent two of the three major classes of modern, broad spectrum anthelmintics.